Seven tourist vehicles bearing Karnataka registration parked at a temple in Rameswaram were damaged on Monday by protesters.
Voicing concern over "incidents of violence" against Kannada speaking people, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday asked his Tamil Nadu counterpart Jayalalithaa to ensure their safety and protection while assuring her that interests of Tamils in the state would be safeguarded.
"While we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure maintenance of law and order in our State, I would urge you to direct authorities in Tamil Nadu to ensure that perpetrators of violence are immediately brought to book," Siddaramaiah said in his letter, released to the media. "Further, you may also like to advice your authorities to ensure adequate safety and protection for Kannada speaking people in the State of Tamil Nadu," he said.
The missive came following reports that suspected pro-Tamil protesters attacked and damaged a hotel run by a native of Karnataka in Chennai, using iron rods and wooden logs. Seven tourist vehicles bearing Karnataka registration parked at a temple in Rameswaram were damaged allegedly by activists of various outfits including Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam.
On the incident wherein a 22-year-old Tamil engineering student was allegedly beaten by a group of people here for posting "derogatory" remarks on social media against Kannada film actors, he said the case is under investigation. He said "It has also come to my notice that an incident involving a youth by name Santosh in Bengaluru, has been blown out of proportion by media channels in Tamil Nadu and this is likely inciting passions and violence against Kannada speaking people."
The Bengaluru City Police has already filed a case in the Santosh incident and investigation is under progress, he added. Siddaramaiah also assured Jayalalithaa that his government is "firmly" committed to maintaining law and order in the State.
"We have taken utmost precaution to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, particularly Tamil speaking people, in the State," he said.
"You would agree that the incidents of violence against Kannada speaking people that are being reported from Tamil Nadu would incite passions threatening peace in our State, which all of us should prevent," he added.
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